Report: Iran Funding Terror Camp in Iraq

An Iranian-funded religious academy in Iraq is training approximately 1,500 recruits from Arab countries to use "combat weapons."

Rachel Hirshfeld, 31/07/12 11:52

Young Arab terrorists (illustrative)

Israel news photo: Flash 90

An Iranian-funded religious academy in Iraq is training approximately 1,500 recruits from Arab countries worldwide to use “combat weapons” and engage in “street fighting,” The Gulf Daily News reported.

Iran has spent $1 million to establish and fund the camp, according to the report. Training reportedly began over the weekend.

According to a report in Gulf Daily News’ Arabic language sister publication, Akhbar Al Khaleej, citizens from Arab nations worldwide have joined the terror training camp.

“Apart from members of Hawza IImiyya Najab, the religious academy, those being trained include citizens from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria and other Arab countries, the report adds.

Their countries’ national flags were flown over the main gate of the camp during the opening ceremony of the camp, it says.

Several Iraqi and Iranian officials are said to have attended the training facility’s opening ceremonies.

“Mohmmed Redha Ali Al Sistani, son of Iranian religious scholar Ali Al Sistani; Iraqi Transport Minister Hadi Al Amiri; Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister and a senior member of Iraq Islamic Dawa Party Ali Al Adeeb; Iranian General Qasim Sulaimani and other members of the State of Law Coalition attended the ceremony.